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A Weblog Dedicated to the Discussion of the Christian Faith and 21st Century Life

A Weblog Dedicated to the Discussion of the Christian Faith and 21st Century Life___I do not seek to understand that I may believe, but I believe in order to understand. For this also I believe, –that unless I believed, I should not understand.-- St. Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109)

Thursday, March 08, 2012

When Pastors Need a Pastor

Good words from Thom Rainer. Something all pastors (women and men) need to read, and their parishioners too.

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The pastor saw me walking in the hallway of the church yesterday, and he quickly stopped me for a brief chat. I knew something was wrong. He told me that his elderly father was sick, and that he was worried. Struggling to hold back tears, he said, "I'm still an eight-year-old little boy when I think of my dad. I would do anything for him."

I offered words of consolation, probably insufficient, and a promise of prayer. He then departed quickly.

You see, other people wanted to talk to him. They wanted their pastor to hear about their hurts. They wanted him to minister to them. And he did so gladly. He loves his congregation dearly. And though the pastor is hurting deeply, he does not hesitate to pour himself out for those God has called him to serve.

Shortly after he left me, he preached two more sermons. He preached with passion. He preached as a man who totally loves his church.

He did all of this even though his own heart was heavy and his emotions were raw.

After all, he is a pastor.

The expectations of a pastor are always high. Most are expected to omnipresent, omniscience, and always energetic and ready to serve. But these men are people with their own limitations and their own struggles. They hurt just like the rest of us, sometimes more than the rest of us.

What if every pastor had a number of people in his church who committed to be pastors to their pastor? These "pastors" would not be the same as those who have the specific call of God and the qualifications noted in 1 Timothy 3. Instead they would include a host of "regular" folks like you and me who love our pastors, and who want somehow to help them as they carry their own burdens and hurts.